Boiler



S. K. SMITH Oct. 27, 1931.

BOILER Filed Dec. 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l @Wawy/f* .y Mya. da?

S. K. SMITH Oct. 27, 1931.

BOILER Filed Dec. 14 .1927v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Iii/vermi* Slarzle Snzlfl/ y@ @m VP Patented Oct. 27, 1931 S'AITLEY` K. SMITH, OF WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,

PATENT orf-rica ASSGNOR TO THE H. B. SMITH COMPANY, OF XVESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATIN OF IEASSACHUSETTS BOILER Application led December 14, 1927. Serial No. 239,969.

This invention pertains to boilers of the type employed for domestic heatingand relates more particularly to a boiler of section- V al type, although in some of its broader aspects it is applicable to boilers of other kinds. Among the objects of the invention are to provide a boiler of unit construction such that two sections suffice to form a complete boiler of practical size but which is capable of enlargement by small gradations to any desired degree merely by the addition of other sections of standard shape; to provide a boiler of the above type in which the ash pit structure consists of standard parts which i: may readily be assembled to provide an ash pit of any desired size; tol provide a boiler in which air is admitted to the combustion chamber in a highly advantageous manner to ensure complete and efcient combustion; to provide for ready application of a refractory or insulating lining to the walls of the fireboX; and in general to provide a boiler of simple; durable and eiiicient character.

1n the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated one desirable embodiment of the invention by way of example 1 is a front elevation of the improved boiler, with certain parts broken away and in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section, substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and illustrating a complete boiler consisting of a front section and rear section only;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the boiler;

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 2 but showing a boiler comprising front, rear, and intermediate sections;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section substant-iallv on the line of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section, to

larger scale. illustrating means for securing the lining of the fire-bor` in position: and

Fi 7 is fragmentary vertical section through the side wall of the ash pit Ashowing details of construction.

Refer-rin to the drawings, the boiler proper is designated by the numeral 1, and the ash nit structure. upon which the boiler proper rests. is indicated by the numeral 2. Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the boiler proper consists of the front section 3 and rear sec tion 4. The front section 3 is a hollow casting having the front wall 5 and the inner or rear wall 6, spaced apart to provide the main steam and water space 7 and the water leg 8 which partly surrounds the fire-box. The front section 3 is provided with a fuel door 9 giving access to the combustion chamber 10, the front half of which is defined by the inner wall 6 of the front section 3. The inner wall of this front section also deiines the front half of the fire-box 11 and the forward portion 12 of the smoke flue which leads upwardly and rearwardly from the forward part of the combustion chamber.

The rear section 4 is also a hollow casting comprising the rear wall 13 and the forward or inner wall 14, spaced apart to provide the main steam and water space 15 and the depending water leg 16 disposed at the rear of the tire-box. The inner wall of this rear section is so shaped as to form the rear half of the combustion chamber and of the rebox and this section is provided with a passage 17 constituting the rear part of the smoke Hue. This passage 17 extends from front to rear through section 4 and opens at its rear end into a smoke bonnet 18 secured to or integral with the rear wall 13 of the rear section. This smoke bonnet 18 provides an attachment for the smoke pipe 19 leadingr to the stack.

The bonnet 18 may be provided with the usual smoke damper 20 and cold air inlet door 21. The parts 2O and 21 are connected respectively to links 22 and 23 which are actuated by a lever 24 operated by a diaphragm within a housing 25 which communicates with the steam space 15.

The rear section 4 is also provided with one or more openings or passages 26 leading from the back of the section into the combustion I chamber l0 at a point substantially opposite 27 may be provided with any suitable type Y `adapted of actuating handle 28l by means of which the damper may be operated by hand or by connections to the lever 24y or other suitable automatic controlling device. l

The front section 3 is preferably provided at its upper part withvvan interior partition or septum 29 v(Figs. 2 and 5) projecting rearwardly from its front wall 5 into thesteam space 7. This wall or septum 29 is preferably centrally disposed with reference to the width of the front section and is preferably integral with the wall 5 and provides a vei'- Y tically extending standpipe space 30. This space 30 communicates with the steam space 7 by means of small openings 31 and 32 at its upper and lower endsV and the space 30 is to ltake the'place of the usualv eX- terior standpipe commonly attached to boilers of this type to provide a body kof water a gage-glass orfwater column 35.

which is quiescent and'wliose levelis not `substantially affected by the boiling of the water within the main steam chamber. f The Wall 5 is provided with screw-threaded openings leading into the standpipe `space 30 near the top and bottom of the latterrespectively for the reception lof gage 'tubes 33 and 34 leading to the upper. and lower ends :respectively of wall of' the section 3 is also furnishedrwith suitable threaded openings for the reception ofvtry-cocks 36 and 37 which communicatev directly, with the steam `space 7. A

' Preferably the front section 3 is provided with a threaded opening at its top for the reception of a steam gage siphon T, which is disposed in the'stean'i space has aftrap chamber communicating at one end with the steam space 7 and at itsupper end with a tube leading to the usual steam gageGr.l This siphon, being disposed wholly.

within theboiler, Vis concealed Yfrom view,

is not as liable to'freezing as an 4exposed Siphony and isprotected from injury, while at the V'same time thepressuregage may be placed ymuch closer to the upper Vsurface of the boiler than is usual.` Q Y v.

The front and rear sections 3 Vand 4`are provided with complemental contact surfaces *Y adapted to fit closely together and are united .byvmeans of theusual nipples 39 of which if but one is herein illustrated. Y

v'ardly 'and downwardly and isffurnish'edv at :itsfforward edge with adepeiiding lip or @retaining-element This lip 43 is longer Tnaccordance with Vthe present invention,

thatlportion ofthefinner -wall 14 of the rear vsection 4 whichy embraces the fire-box isfurnished'with. anv offset 514"l lproviding ya recess V40vv (Fig. ,6) forthe reception of refractory or insulating lining. This recess 4() is vpreferably provided with a substantially Vhorizontal'lower surface' but has an upstanding Vblip 'orfretaining element VV41 rat the 'forwardj -edge offsaidsurface.Vv The Aupper .wall 42. of

the Vrecess 40Iisfpreferably inclined rearthe `lip 41;

The front 7.V This siphon Y The boiler thus constructed, asshOWnin than the lip 41, as shown in Fig. 6. The recess 40' is adapted to hold insulating or refractory material 44, for example firebrick, fire clay or the like, which is conveiiiently though not necessarily provided in the forrn'of a brick orslab, and Yin inserting such aslab in position the upper edge ofthe slab is pushed up behind the lip 43, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 6 until its lower edge can be swung rearwardly across the top of The slab" is then permit-ted to drop vertically until it rests up-on the horizontal bottom surface of the recess with its Lipper end disposed behind lip 43. The block is thus securely retained inv position, although n removable by a reversal of the Vabove process.

If plastic fire clay is used insteadof the slab,

the lips 41 and 43 serve 'equally-well. to retain Y it in place. The slab or clay serves to insulate the fire-box from the relativ-ely cold water contained in the water leg which `surrounds the fire-box and uniform combustion of the fuel and a uniform level of the nre bedmay thus be maintained,fwhich issometimes diiicult when there isa free transfer ofheat between the re and the water leg of a boiler section.` Y

AThe -ash pit structureV preferably coinprises a'front member 45, wliichpis conveniently a casting, and rear member 46 which is .also-'a casting. The frontinember 45 is therear member 46has an air inlet door48. This door 48 may bel coniiectedybymeans of a chai-n 49 with the damper 20 so as tobe moved in properv relation` to the` latter by ymeans 'of the lever 24.` The grate? bars 5.0

are supported bythe 'front and rear members .45 and 46 and'may be actuated for shaking inwardly. These flanges and 56 provide convenient means for supporting a refractory o 'r heat insulating lining 57 such as is commonly employed in an'ash pit of a boiler which is heated by. other .than solid fuel, for

example a gas or oil burner.l Whilea section of channelgshape is preferred for this purpose,-it is obvious that standard shapes of 'other'. types may be employed, 'if desired. if" -Tlie'sectioiis 54 are attached to the rearand front members 45 and l46 byV any suitable form of connection usual in boiler construc- Fig-f2, iscomplete in itself, comprisingthe fire-box, combustion chamber, V.fluev spaces, water spaces and ash pit; itbeing noted that the boiler proper consists of but two 'sections `which' are directly connected together.V This 3 Yfurnished with the usual ash door 47,'while K iinv ' vidual boiler, consisting of two sections, is complete in itself and represents the minimum size of boiler employing sections of given dimensions.

Referring to Fig. 4, I have shown a boiler of the same general type as that shown in Fig. 2 but of greater capacity. This boiler comprises the same front and rear sections 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 2, these sections constituting standard units adapted to be used in boilers ranging from the minimum to the maximum size. In order to provide a boiler of greater size than that shown in Fig. 2, I employ intermediate sections such as the sections 58, shown in Fig. 4. Each section 58 is so shaped as to provide a steam and water space 60, one or more flue sections 61, one or more passageways G1a providing additional heating surface, a combustion chamber section 62, a fire-box section 63, with its corresponding water leg portion, and with front and rear surfaces adapted to fit snugly against one another when such sections are juxtaposed, or against the rear facel of a front section 3, or the front face of a rear section 4. These intermediate sections are furnished with proper openings for the reception of connecting nipples 39,

39h, 39C, etc, by means of which they are secured to one another and to the front and rear sections 3 and 4, it being understood that other nipples (not shown) will be supplied at the proper points. Obviously one or more of these sections may be interposed between the sections 3 and 4 to provide a boiler of the desired capacity.

In the same Way the ash pit structure comprises the standard front unit and the standard rear unit 46, andthe standard channel members 54 forming the side walls.

In order that sectional boilers may be varied in size by small gradations to correspond with different heating requirements, it is common to make the individual sections of small capacity, sections of 41/2 inches thickness being very generally used. In building a boiler by assembling such sections itis substantially necessary to use at least four sections in order to provide a grate area of a practical size to maintain combustion of fuel, but the manufacture and assembly of four such sections involves a very considerable amount of labor and expense including the production of cores, the molding and casting operation, and the machining of four indisections. In accordance with the present invention I make the front and rear sections of sufficient thickness, for example about double that of usual sections, so that each may have room for at least one grate har, the combined front and rear sections alone being sufficient to form a complete boiler as above described.v Thus the minimum size boiler (having refe-rence to sections of a given type, width and height) consists of but two sections instead of four, thus very materially lessening the cost of making and assembling the parts, while by interposing intermediate sections of usual (4l/2 inch) thickness between the front and rear sections, boilers of larger size, but graded in conformity to usual practice, may readily be constructed. V/hile I have stated that sections of 41/2 inch thickness may be used as the intermediate sections, it is obvious that sections of any desired thickness may be placed between the front and rear sections, although for ne gradation in size and convenience in manufacture the smaller standard sections are more practical.

By using front and rear sections of substantially double the thickness of usual sections, I also provide room for the internal standpipe and adequate steam space in the front section, and obtain plenty of room in the rear section for the smoke flues and steam space. the large flue area in the rear section permittingthe use of a smoke bonnet of minimum size.

Whether the boiler be of minimum size, as shown in Fig. 2, or of a larger size, as shown in F ig. 4, the products of combustion from the combustion chamber move forwardly and upwardly into the space 12 and thence rearwardly through the flue 17 into the smoke bonnet 18. Although each intermediate section may be provided with a plurality of spaced fiues 61, 61a, etc., I prefer to supply but a single flue 17 in the rear section, since in this way the size of the smoke bonnet 18 may be kept at a minimum. Thus the flue 17 may, if desired, comprise a plurality of branches merging rearwardly into a single main flue, but ordinarily a single wide flue, converging toward its rear, if desired, is adequate for the purpose. The supplementary air supply, necessary for complete combustion, is admitted through the openings 26, regulated by the damper 27, and this air moves forwardly through the combustion chamber so as to obtain a maximum admixture of the air with the products of combustion before they enter the smoke flue 12. A much greater eiiciency of combustion is thus obtained than though the supplementary air supply were admitted through the tire-door 9; even when burning high volatile coal the smoke is reduced below the allowance of usual smoke prevention ordinances; and the heating efficiency of the boiler is greatly increased. As above pointed out the lining of the fire-box with refractory material assists in maintaining a uniform rate of combustion level of fuel bed over the entire fire-box, and the arrangement of the air inlet door 48 at the rear of the ash pit makes it extremely-convenient for automatic control. The disposal of the stand ipe 30 and the gage Siphon T within the boiler improves the appearance of the boiler, lessens the danger of injury to these parts, simplifies the construction and lessens the cost, while the employment l,of the standard Yfront andrear sections for the boiler and ash pit and the standardl intermediate boiler sections .permits ready assemblage of boilers of different capacities ata minimum cost and trouble. I

iVhile I have herein described one desirable' embodiment of my invention, I wish it to befunderstood that various changes'in details of construction, arrangement and proportion of parts and the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein disclosed are to be Yconsidered as Within the purview of the vzo present invention as defined by the claims. IClaiin: l y Il. A boiler of the class-describedv comprising assembled transverse sections. each section being of integral unitary constructionA having spaced innerl and outer walls defining a steamfand water space between them,

,the inner wallsof" said sections collectively7 defining a combustion chamber and being recessed .below the combustion chamber for the reception-ofurefractory material definv ing the-inner surface of a fire box, the effecper part ofV the combustion chamber Vin t i `front part ofan educt flue,

tive areas of the fire box and combustion chamber being substantially equal, the assembled sections havingpassages definingv directly from, the uphe 'frontisection;rearwardly through all of the other sections,and a lbonnet secured to the rear section and communicating with the fine passage inthe latter. 1 l .A f

' 21A boiler of the class described comprising assembled transverse-sections, one ofthe sections being a front sectionof kintegral one piecev construction having spaced inner and outer walls defining a steam and waterspace, the inner wall of said front Vsection being shaped to definethe frontpart of .a combustion chamber, said2 sectionwhaving a door opening directly into the combustion chambei', the upper part ofsaid inner wall being curved rearwardly to vdefine fthe front vpart of a smoke flue and thelower part of the inner wall having a recess. refractory lining an educt 'flue leading material within said recess, and aj grate barV extending transversely across said section at its lower part; v c

3. A boiler for domesticV heating purposes comprising assembled transverse Afront and rem sections, said sections having complenuca;

mental surfaces adapted collectively to form 'aV complete combustion chamber, the front sectionv having spaced innerfand outer walls deiininga steam and waterspace, the in-Q shaped to define the front part of a combustion chamber, the upper part of the -inner wall ofV the frontsection being shapedV to denne the Y a door in said front section opening directlyv intothe combustion chambengtheinner surfaces of said.

stantially the same sections below the combustion chamber being recessed for the reception of refractory lining material defining a fire box of subsuperficial areajas that of the combustion chambeigand an intermediate sectionadapted to lit betweeny the front and rear sections, said lintermediate section having surfacesadapted to cooperate with the surfaces of the Y'front and rear secticns in d efining` combustion chamber of increased area and also to Vprovide a portion of the educt flueand having recesses for the reception of refractory lining material adapted to cooperate with that of the front and rear sections in forming a. fire box of increased area. l *Y l el. i boiler of the class described comprisingV a casing or shell defining a combustion chamber, the shell having a normally .closed epening leading into. the front of Ythe comlnistion chamber and an air admission opening leading directly through the shell from the outer atmosphere into the rear Vdirectly through it to the rear part of the .combustion chamber,and a movable 'damper for regulating the amount of air entering through said secondpassage.

6. A boiler ofthe class described comprising a front section and a rear'section, said sections having complemental parts adapted collectively to form al complete fire-box and combustion chamber, said sections having cooperating portionsrproviding an educt flue for the 'products of combustion leading upwardly and rearwardly from the front of the combustion Chambon-the rear section having an air admission opening leading directlythrough it from the outer air into the rear part of the vcombustion chamber at a point adjacent'to the topk of the lire-box.

' 7. Aboilerf ofthe class described comprising a front section of integral one piece construction having spacedinner and outer walls defining -a steam and water space, 'the inner Y 'walls being shaped to constitute the front por- `combustion chamber' being recessed. tore- -ceive refractory liningjzmaterial defining the no Y front portion of a lire box, and at least one section assembled with said front section to form therewith a complete combustion chamber, educt flue, and fire box, the educt flue leading rearwardly from the front section and out through the rearmost section, the latter section having a passage through it leading directly from the outer atmosphere to the combustion chamber.

8. A boiler of the class described comprising assembled transverse sections, one of said sections being a rear section of integral one piece construction having spaced inner and outer walls deiining a steam and water space, the inner wall being shaped to deline the rear part of a combustion chamber, said rear sect-ion having an air admission opening leading from the outer air directly to the combustion chamber, a movable damper for determining the eiective area of said opening, said section also having an educt passage extending through it from front to rear above the combustion chamber, the inner wall of said section having a recess at its lower part for the reception of refractory material defining the inner surface of a fire box, and a grate bar extending transversely across said section at its lower part.

9. A boiler of the class described comprising assembled transverse sections including a front section dening the front parts of the combustion chamber and educt iiue, a rear section defining the rear part of the combustion chamber and the outlet end of the educt flue and at least one intermedia-te section, the intermediate section being of one niece construction having spaced inner and outer walls delining between them a steam and water space, the inner wall being shaped to deiine an intermediate portion of the combustion chamber and an intermediate portion of the educt flue, the inner wall of said intermediate section being recessed below the combustion chamber for the reception of refractory material dening the inner surfaces of an intermediate portion of a lire box, the front and rear sections each having a passage therethrough leading directly into the combustion chamber.

l0. A boiler of the class described having an ash pit structure comprising a front member, a rear member, and side members uniting the front and rear members, said side members consisting of channel-bars with their flanges turned inwardly and adapted to hold a refractory lining.

ll. A boiler of the class described comprising a front section and a rear section, said sections having complemental parts adapted collectively to form a complete lire-box and combustion chamber of small size, an intermediate section adapted to fit between said front and rear sections, said intermediate section having a portion cooperating with the front and rear sections to form a lire-box of a greater size, an ash pit structure supporting said sections and comprising a front member having a door, a rear section, and

side walls uniting the front and rear sections,

each side wall comprising a length of channel bar with its flanges directed inwardly and refractory lining material interposed between said flanges.

l2. A boiler of the class described comprising a front section consisting of an integral casting having spaced front and rear walls defining a main steam and water space, the rear wall being shaped to form the front portion of a combustion chamber, smoke iiue, and lire box, the front wall of said section having at its upper part an integral interior septum projecting into the main steam space, said septum dening a vertical stand pipe space, and having openings at its top and bottom providing communication between the stand pipe space and the main steam space, the front wall having screw-threaded openings leading into the stand pipe space near the top and bottom respectively for the reception of gage tubes.

18. A boiler of the class described comprising assembled transverse sections one of said sections being a front section and another being a rear section, each of the sections being of integral one piece construction having spaced inner and outer walls defining a steam and water space, the inner wall of the front section being shaped to define the front part of a combustion chamber and the entrance to an educt flue, said front section having a door opening directly into the combustion chamber, the lower part of the inner wall of the front section having a. recess for the reception of refractory lining material and the rear section having a passage delining the rear end of the educt flue and another passage leading directly from the outer air to the combustion chamber.

Signed by me at lVesttield, Mass., this 29 day of November, 1927.

STANLEY K. SMITH. 

